EU's resource plan 'doesn't go far enough'

The European Commission has failed to satisfy environmental NGOs with a plan to tackle Europe's dependency on imported resources.

The European Commission has today (20 September) unveiled a plan to tackle Europe's dependency on imported resources. But it has failed to satisfy environmental NGOs.

Friends of the Earth say that it doesn't go far enough to cut waste and stop over-consumption of the world's energy, water, land and materials.

The Resource Efficiency Roadmap calls for EU countries to make more efficient use of the world's finite natural resources to ensure we meet the needs of a growing global population.

But Friends of the Earth says the plan is too vague and lacks urgent measures to reduce Europe's over-consumption of energy, water and land.

"Policymakers are right to commit to using resources more wisely and ensuring nearly nothing is wasted,” said Julian Kirby, resource use campaigner at Friends of the Earth, “But their plans still lack the details and deadlines needed to protect both our economy and the environment”.

He said, "From burgers to mobile phones, Europe's wasteful economies leave us perilously over-dependent on imported materials, jeopardising business and putting pressure on wildlife, the climate and the world's poorest people”.

The organisation urged the EU to end the drive for biofuels, which are criticised for wrecking rainforests and using up land that could be used to grow food for people. They want the EU to support “planet-friendly farming practices” and ensure that products are built to last.

Kirby also took a swipe at the UK government. He said, "With Wales outstripping English recycling rates and Brussels aiming for a genuinely zero-waste economy, David Cameron must update the disastrous Waste Review with an ambitious plan to cut waste, boost recycling and make British manufacturing more efficient”.